This pamphlet provides quick and effective tips on how you can prepare for an emergency.

Whether it’s a natural emergency like high winds, flooding or lightning or a man-made threat,
New Yorkers should know what to do when faced with a disaster. Emergency-response
personnel are trained to respond quickly and effectively, but every community’s level of
preparedness starts with individuals being aware and informed. We can’t stop certain
disasters from happening, but we can control the amount of personal devastation that
results from those situations by taking the proper preventive measures.

I hope that you find this brochure useful, and please share this information with your family
so that everyone can be better prepared for the unexpected.

Sincerely,
Assemblyman
Michael J. Cusick

Hurricanes and Flooding

New York State’s hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. While those
living along the Atlantic coast are at more risk for high wind and hurricane damage,
everyone in the state is vulnerable to extensive flooding from inland-moving storms.

High Winds: Both hurricanes and tornadoes can produce violent,
damaging winds. Unless you live in a coastal, low-lying area or manufactured home,
you won’t necessarily be evacuated. Take the following actions to protect yourself,
your family and your property.

Make sure your home meets current building code requirements for high winds.

Protect your windows with commercial shutters or by having 5/8-inch plywood
panels on hand.

Bring in all lawn furniture or other objects that could become projectiles.

Turn refrigerator to maximum cold and only open when necessary.

Turn off propane tanks and unplug major appliances.

Designate an interior first-story room with no windows or external doors as
a “safe room,” even if it’s a closet. Do not leave the “safe room” until local
officials say so, even if the winds seem to have calmed.

If instructed to evacuate, leave as soon as possible.

Inland Flooding: Severe storms produce large amounts of rain,
which could lead to inland flooding. A Flash Flood or Flood Watch means that
flooding is possible in your area. A Flash Flood or Flood Warning means that
flooding is imminent or has been reported. Take immediate action.

Know the elevation of your property, your insurance coverage and the
fastest, safest route to high land.

Make an itemized list of all valuables, including furnishings, clothing
and personal property.

Keep your rain gutters and downspouts clear of clogs.

Move all outside possessions inside and, if there’s time, move essential
items and furniture to upper floors in the house. Disconnect electrical
appliances that can’t be moved.

Avoid driving into water because there’s no way to tell how deep it is.
Two feet of water will float your car, and water moving at two miles per
hour can sweep your car away. Nearly half of all flash flood fatalities are
vehicle related.

After a flood, test drinking water. Throw away fresh food that had contact
with flood water and wash contaminated canned goods with soap and water.
Stay away from downed power lines.

Lightning Safety

Did you know lightning kills more people in this country each year than tornadoes?
Lightning is simply the building and discharge of electric energy, which is released as
a flash of light, or a bolt, that heats the air to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This rapid
heating of the air then produces a shock wave, thunder. Being struck by lightning is
potentially fatal.

During a storm, stay indoors whenever possible.

Avoid contact with corded phones and electrical equipment. Phone use is the
leading cause of indoor lightning injuries in the United States because lightning
can travel through the wires.

Avoid contact with concrete walls and floors, which may contain metal reinforcing
bars or wire mesh.

If you’re outside, pay attention to the sky.

During a storm, listen for thunder and when heard, immediately seek shelter.
Even if the sky looks clear, lightning can travel sideways for up to 10 miles.
If there isn’t a safe building nearby, find a hard-topped all-metal vehicle.

If the time between when you see the flash and hear the thunder is 30 seconds
or less, the lightning is close enough to hit you.

Lightning hits the tallest object - including trees - so make sure you aren’t it.
If there’s nothing around you, crouch down as low as possible.

If someone is struck by lightning, call 911 and get medical attention as
quickly as possible.

NY-Alert

NY-Alert is part of New York State’s ongoing commitment to provide New Yorkers with
information that keeps them aware of threats and emergency situations, and teaches
them how to respond accordingly.

Signing up for NY-Alert is free. By doing so, you will receive warnings and emergency
information, including road closures, inclement weather events and protective actions
recommended by the state, local governments, schools and the private sector where
appropriate. Information can be sent to you via your cell phone, your home phone,
e-mail and other technologies.

When you sign up for NY-Alert, you will also be able to select the locations you would
like to receive information about, such as your town or village, county, or the entire state.

You can sign up for NY-Alert by going to
www.nyalert.gov
or by calling (888) 697-6972.

Make a “Family Emergency Plan” today because emergencies can happen in an instant:

Hold a family meeting and discuss where to meet in case of an emergency.
Pick two places: Somewhere outside of your home in case of a fire, and a place
away from your neighborhood in case you can’t return home.

Know how to contact all family members at all times, and designate an out-of-area
friend whom family members can contact to report their whereabouts. Make sure
your children know all important phone numbers, including 911.

Install and check safety features, such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.

Know how and when to turn off water, gas and electricity in your home.

Make a plan for what to do with your pets in case of evacuation, and know the rules
of your local shelters.

Review your insurance policy to see what kind of coverage, if any, is possible for flood,
earthquake and other natural disaster damage – some insurance companies require
additional insurance policies.

Tune in to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio or your local
radio and television stations.

Emergency Kit Checklist

Be prepared to live without electricity, water, heat, air conditioning or telephone service for at
least three days. Always have the following on-hand:

Flashlights with extra batteries, which should be kept in various locations in the house.